Our wheel and frame performance charts are useful tools, but they don’t clearly answer one crucial question for many Zwift racers: how does frame X paired with wheelset Y perform compared to other top setups, including the Zwift Concept Z1 (Tron) bike?
Additionally, those charts don’t get updated as regularly as data elsewhere on our site (it’s a problem; we’re working on it). So we’ve created this chart, which pulls from current, live data on the very latest frames and wheels in Zwift.
The chart below compares the relative performance of un-upgraded and fully upgraded versions of the game’s fastest frame and wheelset combinations, allowing you to determine which setup works best for you. We’ve charted how many seconds each setup saves across an hour of riding compared to a basic bike/wheel setup (Zwift Carbon frame + Zwift 32mm Carbon Wheels). This means you’ll find the top performers higher on the Y-axis and further right on the X-axis.
Select frames and wheelsets below. Each frame you select (unless it’s a Halo bike) will be combined with all selected wheelsets, creating a single dot for each frame+wheelset combo. Hover for details.
Frames
Wheelsets
Bikes with wheel combos also require a wheelset selection.
Observations
While the Specialized Project 74 is clearly a standout performer on the flats, it’s worth noting that moving to an all-arounder setup like the Specialized Tarmac SL9 + Princeton CarbonWorks Wake 6560 wheels costs 17 seconds on the flats, but gets you 70 seconds on the climbs (assuming both bikes are stage 0). Not a bad trade.
Next, you’ll notice that the Aethos regains its position as King of the Mountain when viewing fully-upgraded frame performance. The fully upgraded Aethos really is a climbing weapon, and moving from an all-arounder like the Specialized Tarmac SL9 to the Aethos means you’re basically just trading flat seconds for climb seconds on a nearly one-to-one basis.
Example: the Aethos + Swiss Side HADRON Ultimate 650 wheels lose 24 seconds to the Specialized Tarmac SL9 on the flats, but gain 21 seconds on the climbs. That’s a pretty solid trade if you’re a rider who struggles on the climbs more than the flats.
Of course, when considering performance, one must also consider the work that goes into upgrading the bike. Getting a fully-upgraded Tron is going to take significantly more riding than upgrading a production bike like the Pinarello Dogma F 2024!
There is certainly more to observe from this chart and our more complete wheel and frame charts, but for now I’ll leave it to the Zwift community to look at the numbers and share thoughts. Ride on!
Your Thoughts
What conclusions do you draw from this updated chart? Share your thoughts below!
new chart’s an absolute BEAST. Amazing work, Eric.
The wheel charts page has DTSwiss 65 faster than Princeton Wake 6560 on the flat by 3.9s. On this new chart the difference is only 0.2s. Which is correct?
0.2s is correct. Charts pages are currently a bit dated, but what you see above and everywhere else on the site is accurate and matches our Google sheet’s public data.
I’m working on automating the chart updating so they can be kept current. Right now it’s a huge hassle to add new items or update times…
Thank you, Eric. The chart is fantastic. I love the bike/wheel selection options. Can you please place this chart in your “Reference” tab for quick access in future. Regards, David H.
This is great. Thanks a lot!
This is my favorite chart! Being able to select frames and wheels is a great addition. Thanks, Eric.
Excellent chart Eric, thanks. 👌
So tron still has value as a lighter mass full aero bike. Tron is equal to a more aero pin dogma 2024. Tron is flat- rolling only courses but only after lots of riding and drops.
Ugh, but now don’t we need the length of the rays (distance from 0,0) to see which is the overall fastest? But total length wouldn’t be clearly indicative of how much faster one combo is from the other?
This seems to require some 4D chess and I’m playing 2D checkers. Curse you, Pythagorus. I know it’s in there somewhere but also know I don’t want to spend the time sussing it all out! 😉
Glad I like my 2021 Aeroad with custom paint. Makes things easier.
Great update to everyone’s favorite tool on Zwiftinsider, Eric!
Is the SL9 “polish” still to come?
Yeah, still to come! I bet in the next update or two… but I’m already working on upgrading mine.
Bravo Eric, much appreciated.
Given its age, the “futuristic” Tron seems to have been surpassed by several frames/wheels introduced over the past few years. If the rolled out a newer Tron 2.0 there’d be a revolt, so maybe owning a Tron should come with lifetime “firmware updates” that keep it slightly ahead of the pack.
Can I compare my fully upgraded SL8/SL9 to an basic Tron?
Super useful! Finally answers the question of whether the SL9 when fully upgraded beats the Project 74 on the rides I generally do. If the ride is 40% by time uphill, I think it probably does.
Only thing that could make this better is to include TT bikes.
I think I’ll make a separate chart for TT bikes!
I like to be able to compare them on the same chart to get an idea of where TT vs road stands, especially given things like Project 74 is a road bike.
And to see the difference in disc wheels on tt vs road.
Hi Eric, great chart.
But why is not DT Swiss ARC1100 Dicut 62 not on the list?
Se you Thursday🧸🧸
Seems to me that climbing performance matters more, due to drafting effects on the flats.
Fantastic upgrade from the old charts. Thanks !
Great review! Thank You very much. After 10 minutes of analysis I have already bought and installed these new black/white Princeton wheels.🙂
using AI it should be possible for Zwift to select from an individuals garage what bike frame and wheel setup is best for the ride selected and offer a choice of three say.
It’s not that complicated, you don’t need AI, a few simple if thens is enough.
This is great…all we need now is the ability to select different levels for different bikes on the same chart. E.g. if I spend 10m on the Project 74 (and it’ll be level 0 for months as I only rie it on flat routes), how does it compare to my Level 5 SL8?
How hard can that be? 😅
Yes sir!!! 🫡 thanks for all the great work. Ready to upgrade and get more specific on my rides to roll the best
Chart does not display on Firefox.